Smithfield Hopes To Continue Momentum

Southampton Also In Playoff Chase

November 13, 1992|By TONY ANTHONY Daily Press

Although running backs Tory Batten and Steve Bailey have supplied the Smithfield High School football team with plenty of power this season, Coach Miles Blount also has been impressed with his defensive unit.

``I can't say enough about Batten and Bailey and our entire offensive front line,'' said Blount, whose team plays host to Southampton at 7:30 tonight in a Bay Rivers District game. ``But I've also been extremely impressed with the overall play of our defensive front and linebackers.

``I hope we can get another good game from our front four because Southampton likes to run the football. They like to control the game with the run.''

The Packers have received outstanding play this season from defensive tackles Ricardo Crocker and Larry Claggett, defensive guards Wallace Hill and Lorne Bailey, and linebackers Troy Beamon and Derrick Carter.

Batten and Bailey have combined to supply more than 2,000 yards for the Packers on the ground. Batten leads district rushers with 1,327 yards on 179 carries (7.4 yards per carry), and he also leads the district in scoring with 132 points.

The Packers are shooting for a spot in the Group AA Division 3 Region I playoffs. ``I believe we've just about landed the spot with our 6-3 record,'' Blount said. ``But I'll be a lot happier if we can close out the season with another win.''

Four teams will make the Division 3 Region I playoffs, with Matoaca and Nottoway having assured spots already. Smithfield, Southampton and Poquoson (5-4, 3-3) are trying to earn the other spots. Since the Islanders trail Southampton and Smithfield in the Virginia High School League power ratings, they probably must upset Tabb (7-2, 6-0) in order to get in the postseason.

``We started out slow but we finished in a flurry,'' said Blount, who watched Batten rush for 243 yards on 21 carries against the Panthers. His sidekick, Bailey, came through with 160 yards on 18 carries.

``Batten has been running extremely well all season, except for the two games early in the season when he wasn't at 100 percent because of a slight injury,'' Blount said.

Following the lopsided victory over Bruton, Batten said: ``I've got my front line to thank for the yardage I've gained.''

He made reference to center Crocker, guards Cory Thomas and Jeff Davis, and tackles Hill and Jesse Benton.

As for Southampton, Coach Littleton Parker said: ``I believe the game can go either way. We've had a lot of success against them in the past. Our running game will have to be at its best to beat them.''

The key for Southampton is tailback LaShawn Butler, a sophomore who has rushed for more than 600 yards this season.

``To win, we will have to contain Smithfield's running game, especially Batten and Bailey,'' Parker said. ``We're very young, but we've been getting good efforts from everyone.''